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OB resident fights SDPD's security cameras plan

SAN DIEGO - An Ocean Beach man is channeling Uncle Sam in his fight against the San Diego Police Department's plan to install 10 security cameras in public areas.

"It's scary; this is Ocean Beach," said Rick Callejon, a retired teacher who started Ocean Beach Citizens Against Privacy Abuse (OBCAPA). "Lots of people weren't aware of the situation."

A spokesman for San Diego City Councilwoman Lorie Zapf said the plan is solely to fight and prevent crime along a popular area. He added $25,000 would be spent on high-end cameras that will only be used for deterring and investigating crimes.

Callejon argued the cameras will only force criminals off the beach.

"In this case," he said, "The only place to migrate is into residential neighborhoods."

10News spoke with two business owners who said they wanted anything that would help fight crime.

OBCAPA has put up dozens of posters featuring Uncle Sam that say: "Only you can STOP the surveillance cameras in OB!"

Callejon planned on making a presentation to the Ocean Beach Planning Board Wednesday evening.